A Fort Worth dentist faces a felony charge after authorities say she administered a lethal dose of sedatives to a 4-year-old girl who died during a routine dental procedure in April. Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill, 48, was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Fort Worth police on a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.
The incident happened April 1 at Cuddle Kids Dental Care in the 5300 block of Sycamore School Road. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, 4-year-old Aithana Rodriguez Arriaga was at the office for a tongue-tie procedure when Hemphill gave her multiple sedatives, including oral meperidine (Demerol), additional medications and nitrous oxide. The child became unresponsive, prompting CPR efforts by Hemphill and another dentist until paramedics arrived. Aithana was transported to a hospital but did not survive.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner ruled the death a result of meperidine toxicity, with levels in the child’s system described as potentially high even for an adult. Investigators determined Hemphill failed to properly monitor the patient and administered the wrong reversal medication as Aithana suffered respiratory failure, according to police records.
Fort Worth police obtained an arrest warrant and took Hemphill into custody outside her office around 3:42 p.m. Wednesday. She was booked into the Tarrant County Jail. No other injuries or fatalities were reported in connection with the case.
The child’s family has not publicly commented, but the death has drawn attention to pediatric sedation practices in dental offices. Cuddle Kids Dental Care remains open, though the specific case has prompted questions about safety protocols for young patients.
Hemphill has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation remains active as Fort Worth police and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office move forward with the case. Pediatric dentistry experts note that proper monitoring and dosing are critical when sedating young children, especially for minor procedures.
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